Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: They answer,--"You have taught us that there are no gentlemen; and which of your principles teach us to bow to kings…

On the record
They answer,--"You have taught us that there are no gentlemen; and which of your principles teach us to bow to kings whom we have not elected?
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke captures the sentiment of the people questioning the legitimacy of unchosen rulers.

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Jan 1, 1790

When such an unwarrantable maxim is once established, that no throne is lawful but the elective, no one act of the princes who preceded this era of fictitious election can be valid.

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It therefore secures both an hereditary crown and an hereditary allegiance.

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As he is not to obey us, but we are to obey the law in him, our Constitution has made no sort of provision towards rendering him, as a servant, in any degree responsible.

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Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy.

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